Under the Arch

GANNON MAINTAINS TOP TIER RANKING, NAMED BEST VALUE BY U.S. NEWS

University ranked ninth in list of “Great Schools, Great Prices” in 2008 edition of America’s Best Colleges

Gannon University has been named a Best Value for the third consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report and also ranks in the top tier for the fourth consecutive year in the 2008 edition of the college guide America’s Best Colleges.

In the annual guide’s list of “Great Schools, Great Prices,” which measures both academic quality and affordability, Gannon ranks ninth in the northern region of the “Universities – Master’s” category. In terms of the guide’s overall rankings, Gannon stands 45^th out of 174 schools in the northern region of its category.

“We are extremely proud of these rankings, as well as the fact that we have been able to maintain a level of consistency from year to year,” said Gannon President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. “The rankings affirm the hard work being done by our faculty, staff, and administrators to offer students a quality education at an affordable price.”

In the list of “Great Schools, Great Prices,” Gannon improved from 10^th last year to ninth this year. According to U.S. News & World Report, publishers of the guide, the list of “Best Values” is based on the institution’s academic quality, as determined by its overall ranking in America’s Best Colleges, as well as the “net cost… for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid.” U.S. News also notes that only schools ranked in, or near, the top half of their overall categories can be considered as possible Best Values.

In the newly-released guide, Gannon’s average tuition cost, after grants to students, ranked third-lowest among the 15 Best Values in Gannon’s region and classification. In addition, Gannon ranked second highest of those 15 schools in terms of the percentage of students (81 percent) who receive grants based on financial need.

In the overall rankings in the new edition, Gannon stands 45^th in the Universities – Master’s category for the northern region of the country, which includes Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., and the New England states. The university’s total score improved from 50 last year to 53 this year.

The scores and overall rankings are based on criteria like peer assessment, student-to-faculty ratio, percentage of classes under 20 and over 50 students, percentage of freshmen in the top 25 percent of their high school class, and average rates for freshman retention, graduation, acceptance of applicants, and alumni giving.

RECENT NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS

News of interest on and around campus...

Records were made to be broken: Congratulations to Sonya Pyle, a former Gannon swimmer and water polo player, who broke the women’s record for the fastest swim across Lake Erie. Pyle began her swim from Long Point, Ontario, and ended at Freeport Beach in North East. She covered the 23.8 miles in 14 hours and nine minutes, breaking the former record of 15 hours and two minutes.
Special thanks to Gannon colleagues for their assistance with media interview requests. Michael Messina, Ph.D., associate professor and program director, marketing, did an interview with Greg Gaudio of the Erie Times-News on the impact of the recent recall of Mattel toys found to contain high levels of lead paint. In addition, Don Gunter, director of Campus Police and Safety, and Ted Marnen, assistant director of Campus Police and Safety, did an interview with Sarah Weber of the Erie Times-News on recent changes made to enhance campus security and related communications issues. The changes include sending text message alerts to students in the event of an emergency. Also, Rev. Nicholas Rouch, vice president for university mission and ministry, and Deacon Steve Washek, director of campus ministry, did an interview with Dana Massing of the Times for a story on Gannon’s new Catholic House, located at 306 W. 6th Street. The article will run this coming Saturday, Aug. 25, in the paper’s Faith section.
An annual Gannon tradition will continue on Tuesday, Aug. 21, when the new class of students gathers at Courthouse Commons for the PROMISE photo. The photo will be taken at 1:15 p.m. The importance of the photo partially lies in the fact that the students will recite the PROMISE pledge: To make healthy and responsible decisions with regard to alcohol and other situations; To show respect for God, themselves, others, and the environment; and To support the Gannon Community and wear their PROMISE and Gannon apparel with pride when they attend various university events.

CAMPUS EVENTS

Monday, August 20 – Preview GU activities: At 6:30 p.m., students can attend a Personal Computing workshop in Schuster Theatre. Students will get a refresher course from technicians on managing their personal computers, as well as an overview of the university’s technological resources. At 8:30 p.m., students can attend a Graffiti Party in the Waldron Campus Center.
Tuesday, August 21 – Preview GU activities: At 1:15 p.m., the new students will gather as a class at Courthouse Commons, 150 West 6^th Street, to participate in the annual PROMISE photo. At 6 p.m., students will participate in a “team adventure” called Experience LIFECORE. Students will navigate their way to various checkpoints on campus and in downtown Erie by using maps and clues. The activity is designed to bring out students’ problem-solving skills through group puzzles in nine lifestyle dimensions. At 7:30 p.m., students can mingle at an Ice Cream Social at Friendship Green.
Wednesday, August 22 – First day of fall semester classes.
Friday, August 24 – Gannon Faculty and Staff Community Meeting: 3-4:30 p.m. in the Yehl Room. Mark your calendar.
Thursday, August 30 – Community Mass: 11 a.m. in the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel.
Thursday, September 6 – Opening Mass of the Holy Spirit: Offered at 11 a.m. at Friendship Green. Bishop Trautman will preside.
“Our Events” is intended to serve as a random sample of campus events. For a more complete listing, refer to Eventcal.

THE PRESIDENT’S SCHEDULE

Monday, August 20 – Preview GU activities. Tuesday, August 21 – Strategic Plan II Task Force meeting; PROMISE photograph. Thursday, August 23 – Gathering in Praise; student hour; Bayfront Convention Center official grand opening. Friday, August 24 – Gannon Faculty and Staff Community Meeting; St. Vincent Health Center board meeting.

CURRENT BIRTHDAYS

Randall Zimmerman. Donald Lee. Elaine Harrison. MaryAnne Kozak. Mark Carone. Michael DeSanctis. Michele Roth-Kauffman. Kimberly Hajec. Linda Cook. Richard Lewis. Linda Fleming. Christine Samuelson. Jesse Owen. Kathleen Friday. Carol Hayes. Andrew Getz. William Krowinski. Deborah Pelinsky. Nancy Kujawinski. Robin Powers. Terry Kriner. Linda Loader. Jim Finegan. Robin Westcott. Cindy Kurczewski. Bill Strub. Scott Shaw. Tanya Butler. John Connelly. Rev. Nicholas Rouch. Mary Pol. Danielle Mignemi. Jodi Hindman. Mary Heberle. Raymond Olson. Justin Bailey. James Kiernan. Mary Wagner. Ibrahim Kacar. Honey Pezzimenti. Melissa Olivett.

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Gannon University recently honored the participants from its two-week Regional Summer School of Excellence. Pictured during the awards ceremony are (back row, left to right) Greg Andraso, Ph.D., associate professor, Gannon biology department; Matt Tatara, Seneca High School; Clark Johnson, North East High School; Sam Birgel, Warren Area High School; Emily Welsh, Mercyhurst Prep; Beth Facchine, Fairview High; Patrick Murawski, Cathedral Prep; and Stanley J. Zagorski, professor emeritus, Gannon University. Front row (left to right): Keith Taylor, Ph.D., Gannon provost and vice president for academic affairs; Stephanie Wunderley, Saegertown High School; Jenny McAuley, North East High School; Natalie Ernecoff, Titusville High School; Michalene Morelli, Maplewood High School; Rebekah Sirak, Erie First Christian Academy; and Brianne Lemock, Collegiate Academy. Through the program, the students experienced intensive laboratory and field site study in the life sciences.